80 THE CHRONICLES OF A GARDEN. 



not suffer in consequence of the frequent glances of enjoy- 

 ment cast around, or the interruptions caused by shy visits 

 of inspection by birds. Those who dwell in cities must 

 often wonder that those w^ho have garden ground around 

 their houses should so seldom enjoy it thus ; how often, in 

 paying a forenoon visit, do we not hear the remark made 

 that it is a sin to sit in the house on such a day, when 



" All thmgs that love the sun are out of doors ;" 



and how pleasant it is when the visit is paid in the open 



air, under the shade of the trees, the birds singing around, 



and the landscape beyond our narrow bounds bathed in 



summer light. While sitting quietly and alone out of 



doors, the small birds seem to lose their timidity, and hop 



near one, — sometimes gathering materials for their nests, 



sometimes seeking food, sometimes apparently coming to 



see why you are there, and what you are doing — darting oft' 



at the rustle of a page turning, or any sudden movement ; 



while ever and anon the book is laid aside, and the play of 



the shadows on the grass under the trees, or the passing of 



the bright clouds above, lead the mind into a pleasing 



dreamy state. Wordsworth, indeed, alludes to his garden 



as a 



" Happy garden, whose seclusion deep 

 Hath been so friendly to indvMrious hours." 



}jut I suspect most of us common mortals must confess to 

 our seclusion bringing forth little more than quiet enjo}^- 

 ment. There is much to be learnt, no doubt, in com- 

 nninion with nature; even in "the trim garden's narrow 



